Arizona Diamondbacks sue Maricopa County to explore leaving Chase Field

The Superior Court lawsuit is the latest twist in a long-running conflict over which party is responsible for as much as $187 million in repairs and upgrades to Chase Field.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have filed a lawsuit asking a judge to break the team's Chase Field lease and allow them to seek financiers to renovate the stadium or build a new one.(Photo: David Kadlubowski/The Republic)

The Arizona Diamondbacks sued Maricopa County on Tuesday, seeking to break the team's lease at Chase Field so that it can seek financiers to build a new stadium or renovate the 19-year-old ballpark.

The Diamondbacks' lease with the county, which owns the stadium, prevents the team from talking with outside groups until 2024, and requires the team to play in its current home until 2028.

The Maricopa County Superior Court lawsuit is the latest twist in a long-running conflict over which party is responsible for as much as $187 million in repairs and upgrades to Chase Field. The team threatened to sue last year after negotiations with the county broke down.

The county argues that a portion of the upgrades are cosmetic and the team's financial responsibility, and that the county will have enough money over the long term to meet its share of the obligations. The Diamondbacks counter that the county-run stadium district has not set aside enough money for needed upgrades and is risking safety.

Arizona Diamondbacks' pitcher Randy Johnson waves to the crowd during reunion ceremonies of the 2001 World Series champion D-Backs team at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ in 2011. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Three Apache attack helicopters fly over Bank One Ballpark following the National Anthem at the onset of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres game, in a tribute to Pat Tillman and all U.S. veterans who have lost their lives fighting for freedom, at Bank One Ballpark, in Phoenix, on April 22, 2005. azcentral sports

Fans grab Keith Carmickle, 38 from Kingman, climbs on a table before he fell over the centerfield rail while reaching for a ball during the Home Run Derby competition hit by Milwaukee's Prince Fielder Monday at Chase Field July 11, 2011. Michael Chow/azcentral sports

18,742 fans watch the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks play at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona. This was the smallest home crowd in franchise history at the time. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

The 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks listen as Jesse McGuire plays the National Anthem during reunion ceremonies of the 2001 World Series champion D-Backs team at Chase Field in 2011. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks fans turned to watch the action in the right field pool as the Colorado Rockies had the bases loaded during the 8th inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ in 2011. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Mike Moon (center) fell into the pool after jumping up for one of Adrian Gonzalez home run balls during the 2011 All-Star Home Run Derby at Chase Field Monday July 11, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. Michael Chow/azcentral sports

In an attempt to resolve the impasse, Maricopa County officials inked a preliminary deal last summer with private investors who proposed to purchase and modernize Chase Field and develop it into a fancier shopping-and-dining destination. But the deal fell apart when investors failed to secure an agreement with the Diamondbacks.

The team released a letter that the investors had asked to remain confidential that showed the buyers became worried about the cost of repairing Chase Field and proposed building a new facility in downtown Phoenix. The buyers rebuffed the team's requests for proof of financing and a business plan.

Diamondbacks Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick said the team attempted to resolve the conflict out of court.

"We have made a promise to our fans, who have been partners with us on the building of this stadium and our franchise, to provide the best experience in all of baseball in a safe and welcoming environment," he said in a written statement. "The inability of the Maricopa County Stadium District to fulfill its commitments has left us with no other option."

Kendrick said the lawsuit would not impact the "day-to-day operations" of the team or the upcoming season, adding that "for 2017, Chase Field is completely safe."

The team cited a study from the Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business that concluded the stadium spurred economic growth worth $3.8 billion in the past two decades. Read the study.

"The team simply wants out of the contract that makes them stay and play through the 2028 season," Board Chairman Clint Hickman said in a written statement. "Saying the facility is in disrepair is outrageous. The Maricopa County Stadium District has spent millions during the off-season on concrete and steel work that keeps the stadium safe and looking great for each baseball season."

Hickman blamed the team for torpedoing last year's deal with Chase Field investors, speculating that the Diamondbacks simply want a new stadium.

"The Diamondbacks have expressed dissatisfaction with county ownership over the past year, yet when presented with a potential buyer last summer, the team didn’t have the courtesy to meet with them," Hickman said. "Maricopa County is committed to keeping the Diamondbacks at Chase Field through the term of the contract. That is good for the taxpayers who made the investment that brought major league baseball here.”

In 2001, the Diamondbacks won a magical World Series over the Yankees with a blooper from Luis Gonzalez in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7. You can't top that, right? Michael Chow/azcentral sports

In April of 2004, Richie Sexson hit a home run off of Francis Beltran of the Cubs. The home run was measured at 503 feet and hit the stadium Jumbotron. It was the longest home run in stadium history at the time (Adam Dunn hit one one foot longer in 2008). Barry Gossage, Getty Images

In July of 1999, Jay Bell hit a grand slam in a game against the A's. But it was no ordinary grand slam. Bell's blast won a Valley family $1 million in a promotion. "My career highlight," Bell said. Associated Press

In 2011, Chase Field was home to the MLB All-Star Game and all the festivities with it. Who could forget this fan going crazy for home runs during the Home Run Derby? David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

In September of 2002, Mark Grace was sent to the mound in a game in which the Dodgers were routing the Diamondbacks. Grace allowed one run in his inning and he did an imitation of teammate Mike Fetters. Classic. Dave Cruz/azcentral sports

In August of 2001, Randy Johnson stumbled making the turn at first base in a game against the Pirates. His teammates memorialized the moment the next day with a crime scene-style chalk outline of the Diamondbacks pitcher on the basepath. Simply awesome. Associated Press

In May of 2001, Randy Johnson struck out 20 batters in a game vs. the Reds. Johnson pitched nine innings, but left the game with the scored tied 1-1. The team allowed two runs in the 11th inning to fall behind 3-1, but scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to win it, 4-3. David Wallace/azcentral sports

In June of 2001, Tony Womack hit a grand slam in a game against the Tigers at Chase Field. Nothing too amazing, right? Well, this grand slam came on Father's Day, about three weeks after the death of his dad. Womack broke down in tears as he ran the bases. Associated Press

Yes, the Game 7 World Series win takes the cake, but the environment for the 2001 World Series at Chase Field deserves it's own mention. From the jets flying over the ballpark to fans singing the national anthem to the crowd going crazy and the display of patriotism ... it is a memory forever ingrained in many fans' minds. Matthew Stockman, Getty Images

And last, but not least: The moments with family and friends. From taking your kids to their first game to taking your mom or dad to a game or hanging out with long-time friends, the ballpark has been the place to bond with those closest to you. It has given fans moments they will always cherish. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports